Hoover parents continue to lobby for restoration of bus services

Hoover parents are continuing to pressure officials to keep school buses running. The Hoover School Board has voted to terminate bus service next year as a way to save money.

Their first step is getting the school board to rescind the resolution ending bus service next year.

In the meantime, a new website, HooverForum.com, gives the community a chance to discuss all issues in Hoover but the topic of buses still dominates.

"It is still number one thing that is being talked about. It is a very sensitive issue with a lot of parents and they continue to talk about it and will continue to talk about it until the issue is resolved," Robin Shutlz said.

Shutlz, who created the website, is a Hoover parent whose child has depended on bus service. Shultz is aware the school system is looking at options. This includes making parents pay for bus service either to the school system or to a private bus company.

"The problem with that some people won't be able to afford it. I would say, guessing, 60 percent of the people won't be able to afford it. Not only low income but middle income folks," Shultz said.

Shultz said the Hoover school system is looking at other sources of revenue to cover the $2 million needed to keep buses rolling next year. Shultz still hopes the city of Hoover will provide some financial help despite claims from city officials they can't.

"Of the 134 school systems in the state only five don't have bus service. Hoover would be the sixth and it would be the largest not to provide busing," Shutlz said.